The Languedoc-Roussillon region comprises two regions: the Languedoc, which stretches westward from the bottom of the Rhone down to the Pyrenees hugging the Mediterranean coast, and Roussillon, which curves southward from north of Perpignan to the Spanish border. This area is the least famous French wine region internationally, but in effect, is one of the largest wine growing regions in the world. Over the past ten years, an investment in technology and greater attention from the world’s wine makers have led to some great acclaim for the region.

As France’s fastest-growing region, Languedoc-Roussillon’s main cities have a great deal to offer the wine tourist. The cities of Montpellier, Nimes, Perpignan, Toulouse, Avignon, Narbonne, Carcassonne and Beziers have wonderful restaurants and offer high quality luxury accommodations that range from quaint B&Bs to international hotel chains.  Montpellier is booming with more than 1,500 people moving to the city every month.  Montpellier was recently voted France’s most popular city to live in much part due to its beautiful and relaxed ‘Centre Historique’ centre, chic shops and close proximity to the beach.

The Languedoc-Roussillon region is best known for their red wines, speficically Carignan, Cinsault, and Grenache. Carignan, although not one of the world’s more well-known varietals, is used mostly in blends, but in recent years has been bottled on its own, both here in France and in boutique wineries from California to Southern Australia. Whereas older regulations typically limited production to these varietals, newer standards and, perhaps most important, the flexibility of the “vin de pays” classification have allowed producers to cultivate and experiment with other varieties, such as Mourvedre and Syrah as well as with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

More liberal guidelines have enabled producers to exploit their individual vineyards’ strengths and adjust their blends to reflect their own tastes as well as to compensate for changes in climactic conditions. Languedoc’s white wines include varieties such as Bourboulenc, Clairette, Maccabeo, Ugni Blanc, and Picpoul for Sauvignon Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier. Native Muscats, however, are still prized. And the region is also known for its vins doux naturels, made from the Muscats of Frontignan and Lunel, some truly delightful dessert wines.

While touring the Languedoc-Roussillon region, you will undoubtably come into contact with the extraordinary food. Similar to the gastronomy of Provence, there is a focus and pride in the high quality of their olive oil, aromatic herbs and variety of produce. Due to the proximity of the sea, there is always an abundance of oyster, fish and shellfish dishes to complement the extremely delicious local cheeses. For further information on the various wine routes with the region, visit the “Malepere Wine Syndicate”.

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